Abstract:

The coronavirus pandemic in Europe has shown that moderately centralized unitary states, as well as small countries, have been able to deal with it most effectively, enabling the center to carry out its orders quickly on the ground. In addition, the need for large-scale state assistance to overcome the economic consequences of quarantine reinforces paternalistic sentiments among citizens and threatens to weaken decentralization trends. At the same time, regional differences in quarantine policies within one country have highlighted the importance of good local governance, which will make citizens more responsible in the selection of members of representative bodies at the local level.